A catalytic converter turns the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine into things that are less toxic to people and the environment. Old models turned carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide. Newer models do the same and break down nitrogen oxides. Numerous factors determine how much you can get when you sell a catalytic converter, though the market value of platinum group metals (PGMs) is the main factor in a catalytic converter price. The age of the part and having a hybrid drivetrain are two factors that increase the amount of PGMs in a converter.
Most Expensive Converters in 2022
As with any automotive part, the cost of a new catalytic converter varies by make and model. Exotic cars tend to have very expensive parts, while mass-produced subcompacts and small SUVs tend to have reasonably priced parts. A new catalytic converter is one of the more expensive replacement parts you could buy, but the price varies widely. Here are the vehicles with the most expensive catalytic converters:
2004 – 2009 Ferrari F430
2017-2022 Dodge Ram 2500
2019 – 2022 Lamborghini Aventador
2003-2022 Ford F-250
1974-2022 Ford Mustang
The catalytic converter price for those vehicles ranges from about $1500 for the Mustang to about $3,770 for a single Ferrari F430 part. What do they have in common? They all use big, powerful V-8 or V-12 engines. Those engines need bigger converters with more PGMs. But that is only one part of the cost. The precision manufacturing standards that a catalytic converter must meet raise the price – manufacturers pass along the cost of engineering and testing. However, those variables only have a limited impact on the scrap value.
Scrap Value of Catalytic Converters
The actual scrap value of a converter depends on more than just the PGM market prices. Removing the small amount of platinum and palladium from a converter takes energy, labor, and some industrial chemicals that cost money, plus an up-front investment in the necessary equipment. Therefore, a scrap catalytic converter with $800 of platinum and palladium in it might have a scrap price of $200. The retail price of a converter doesn’t have much to do with the PGMs inside either. A $3700 converter for an exotic car might have 3 grams of palladium and 6 grams of platinum but the scrap value of the used part will be some fraction of what those precious metals are worth. If you scrap one of those converters, you will be offered a few hundred bucks.
Still, any business that collects old exhaust parts in the course of doing business can build up a substantial stockpile of parts worth from $60 to perhaps $1000 or more. As PGM values fluctuate almost daily, you might find your stockpile of converters is worth $10,000 today and $11,000 next week, or $9,000.
A recycler like Belanger Converter Recycling can help you get a fair price for your inventory of old catalytic converters. They even offer a free Group Catalyst app that helps sellers find the current price of each part and create an inventory. Check them out before you sell catalytic converter scraps.
Other Factors in a Catalytic Converter Price
Several factors affect how much platinum and palladium a catalytic converter contains. Of course, size is important. A small car with a tiny 4-cylinder engine has a smaller converter than a big SUV with a 400-hp gasoline engine. A hybrid car might use more PGMs than a gas engine with a similar power output. Why? Hybrid cars run cooler than internal combustion engines.
The actual scrap value of a converter depends on more than just the PGM market prices. Removing the small amount of platinum and palladium from a converter takes energy, labor, and some industrial chemicals that cost money, plus an up-front investment in the necessary equipment. This is why a scrap catalytic converter with $800 of platinum and palladium in it might have a scrap price of $200. The retail price of a converter doesn’t have much to do with the PGMs inside either. A $3700 converter for an exotic car might have 3 grams of palladium and 6 grams of platinum but the scrap value of the used part will be some fraction of what those precious metals are worth. If you scrap one of those converters, you will be offered a few hundred bucks.
Catalytic Converter Prices Depend on Many Factors
The most expensive catalytic converters are found on the vehicles with the highest demand for emissions control, namely vehicles like the Lamborghini Aventador and Ford F-250 that have powerful engines. However, the catalytic converter price does not translate well to the scrap value of a used part. This is because scrap values depend on the market price for platinum group metals. Belanger can streamline the process to help you sell your catalytic converter collection with their Group Catalyst app. They are also a decanner who can hedge those valuable PGMs for commercial clients.
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